It all began on this day 05/12
As a statistics student, Life in the University of
Calabar was full of exploits.
Everyone who knew where they were coming
from, had plans and aspirations. Likewise myself.
Lying on my bed with my bible on my chest, I
could hear mama's voice still ringing in my head.
".....Ephraim my son, you're going to a faraway
land. Where there's no mommy and daddy.
Please and please, do not put me to shame, stay
away from women and don't commit any
vices....."
I could still remember my promise I gave to
uphold the advice she gave to me until I come
out with flying colors.
Initially, the rules seemed to be easy because,
growing up in the house of the Ephraimites was
something only a few could do. Reason being
that, dad was a strict disciplinarian, likewise
mom. Hence, the advice mom gave to me that
very day were not hard to keep.
But recently, things were starting to change, I
was now feeling a flying butterfly in my stomach
whenever I see Rebecca.
Rebecca is a 300level Mass communication
student of Cross River State university of
Technology. She lives a few blocks far away
from my house. If an estimate was to be given,
she should be in her early twenties, although she
looked older..maybe because of her natural
endowment. Which probably made it a reason
ninety percent of guys who walked past her, had
to look back for a confirmation view.
I met her at the ATM queue few days after
resumption. Even though I was a fresher in
school, I wasn't a fresher in town. Weeks later, I
saw her on a bike heading to Orok Orok. (on her
way to church I guessed, she was wearing a
scarf on her head).
I'm not a type of person that any random girl can
catch my fancy. But this girl is just exceptionally
different. She was not that beautiful, neither was
she attractive to my eyes because of her big
boobies and buttocks, but my heart will always
skip a beat whenever I see her. The only defect
she had was the scanty hair on her head.
I made up my mind to have a word with her the
next time I set my eyes on her. After all, she
doesn't bite, neither does she swallow. It'll rather
be a proud show of cowardice if I let her walk
pass me everyday without knowing my heart was
bleeding seriously, waiting for the day she'd
come with bandage and heal my wounds.
Heaven heard my prayers just once that I prayed
it and I bumped into her at the goldie market two
weeks later. And this is it! It's either now or
never. I dropped my polythene bag with the stall
woman and walked briskly towards her.
"Hello dear" I spoke as gentlemanly as I could.
"Hi, good evening" she replied
Oh sweet Jesus! Mom had always told me I had
a rare spirit, I could smell someone from the
heart of his heart. Her modus operandi of
response was one of a kind. Hardly would you
find a girl who could be as meek as this. Maybe
this was what attracted my heart to her.
"Erm. I.. I'm Ephraim and you?" even though I
knew virtually everything her, I had to ask for the
sake of courtesy.
"I'm becka."
"I've been seeing you around, and I guess you're
the always busy type" I was improvising.
Ofcourse I had lost what to say.
"Hehehe" she chuckled
"Ephraim, I'm the always busy type truly.
Combining Being a student and the only child of
the house is something that demands sacrifices
indeed." she explained casually.
"I shouldn't waste your time unnecessarily, how
about you giving me your number so I can be
calling to check on you. We're now Friends"
She opened her purse, brought out a pen and
piece of paper and started scribbling something
on it.
"Guys will never change" she said without
looking up.
"Alright, here you go. Have it! But don't call
before 7am and after 8pm in the evening.
I gave her mine too and bade her goodbye.
There was nothing else in this world that could
stand the joy I had that night. Jumping on the
bed, screaming at the top of my voice and
singing praises to my maker.
Two weeks passed and there was no single call
from any of us. Probably she didn't want me to
see her a a girl seeking for attention.
On the Friday of the third week, I decided to give
her a call
"Hello Ephraim" she spoke immediately she
picked up the call
"Rebecca dear, good evening. Sorry I haven't
called long before now, I'm having so much to
do,both in school and at home. As I'm talking to
you now, a heap of piled clothes are waiting for
me right in front of my door" I tried to sound in a
pitiable tone.
"Mr. Man save your explanation biko, I'm not
angry
By the way, what about your girlfriend? Why
don't you call her to help you out? Ehn?" she
spoke in a manner that seemed like a mature
mother who is keen on the welfare of her son
"What if I should say to you that I don't have a
girlfriend, will you believe?"
"Hehehe. Ofcourse I will. Is there any guy that
will ever agree to ever having a girlfriend, abegi
spare me that."
"I'm honest becky" I sniffed so I could sound real
a little more.. I was now sounding like a poor
innocent boy
"It's okay I believe you, is that why you want to
cry? Hahahah" she bursted out laughing.
Rebecca became a companion to me on phone.
It was late before I realized that I couldn't stay a
day without hearing her voice.
She was a kind of girl every guy would pray to
God for. Her text messages words of prayers she
sent to me every time before sleeping was one
hell of a soothing magic stunt. It cured my
everyday worries and pains.
Exams drew near and our communications
seized, not totally though. Ofcourse I had to
prepare, as well as Rebecca.
Hers was more hectic, she had to read hard in
order for her not to disappoint her parents (she
was their only hope, I thought). And if by God's
grace we pass our exams in flying colours, she'll
be in final year while I'll be in level 200. ( it
surprised me how Rebecca could be close to my
heart that much, not only was she my senior in
education, she was even older in age, a slight
difference though, which could be argued cos of
my beard).
The exams came and went. We resumed our
friendship, we talked like lovers do, even when I
hadn't mentioned anything about love to her. We
could talk for hours and the conversation won't
get boring.
It was on one of those occasions that I invited
her over the weekend, and to my greatest
surprise she agreed to come on Friday night and
leave on Sunday morning. (reason being that her
parents were out of town, she wasn't a loosed
child).
"Knock knock" a tiny voice broke into my
thoughts.
"Who's there? Please wait oh" I said, springing
up to my feet, trying to wear my boxers and
singlet at once.
"Fish is naked oh" Rebecca was laughing hard.
It was then that I knew it was her. My heart
leapt for joy,
Opening the door and trying to hug her, all in a
second.
"Welcome to my humble abode babe" I beamed
with a great smile.
"Out of my way my friend! Do I look like a visitor
to you? She teased.
We stayed the whole night talking about different
things, she did not seem to be ready for a sleep
even till 2am. I wasn't bored as well, but, just as
the biblical saying "the spirit is willing, but the
flesh is weak".
"Ephraim, Ephraim! Are you sleeping? She tapped
my tummy.
No response, I was far away in dreamland
snoring.
I suddenly saw myself in a place that looked like
a car park, there was not a single person there, I
heard my name from behind and turned, saw
Rebecca claded in a bikini top and a g-string
pants, she beckoned to me and I followed her,
she walked seductively in my front.
"Come let's go to my room" she said without
looking back.
We walked for about an hour, and then I saw us
standing in front of a hospital.
"This is my house" she said and faked a smile.
"What do you mean? How can you be living in a
hospital? I was perplexed.
"Are you coming to see my room or not? She
spoke with a teary eyes.
"No na, how do you expect me to come in there?
I was shaking already.
Who doesn't know that hospital is not a good
place?
I turned back and gave it a second thought,
"Oya let's go" I said after a second thought.
But she was nowhere to be found.
I shouted,
"Rebeeeeecaaaa!!!"
I woke up,sweating and panting heavily.
I looked at where she slept, she was sleeping
peacefully.. I made the sign of the cross and
slept off.
It was dawn and a Saturday morning. Rebecca
woke up around 5am or so and started work in
my room, she cleaned the house with so much
attention that one would easily think I paid for a
room renovation. When she was done, she
washed my clothes and filled my drum with
water (where I stay, we buy water).
By the time it was 7am. I woke up with a slap on
my buttocks
"Lazy human being, will you get up and brush
your teeth, I don't like eating alone, if not, I
would have eaten this Indomie since ages past."
she was as jovial as an angel.
Later that afternoon, we went inside the school,
on reaching the field, she suggested we sat on
the grass to gist..i obliged. We were In that
position until evening. Students passing who saw
us were whispering amongst themselves. Who
cared anyway.
On our way home, she bought some oranges and
watermelons which she refused to give me any,
saying it's mannerless to be eating on the road.
At exactly 7pm, we got to my room, tired but
happy. She ate half of the watermelons and
oranges and insisted she feeds me mine or I
should forget. That was one hell of a crazy
moment for me, naturally I'm a shy type,
however, Rebecca was a girl that doesn't give up
easily.. at the end it was her feeding me with
watermelon and oranges like a mother and her
baby.
It was bedtime, but there was power failure,
hence everywhere was hot..Becky decided to go
outside and have a bath. I was used to my
apartment and so I didn't feel any heat.
When I was alone in my room waiting for Becky
to return, curiosity got the best part of me and I
was tempted to search her bags.
I resisted at first, after much argument inside of
me, I decided to give it a yes..after all, I was
notstealing her properties.
I opened the handbag first, saw something like a
perfume, then i opened her clothes bag and what
I saw nearly gave me a heart attack. Drugs of
different expensive prices. I quickly covered
everything as soon as I heard her footsteps
approaching. I then pretended as if I was
sleeping.
Sunday morning came, and we both prepared for
church, she attended mass in the Catholic chapel
for the first time cos of me. When we returned
from church, she was preparing to leave that
afternoon . I summoned courage to tell her my
mind. Whatever she wants to say doesn't matter
to me.
"Becky, there's something I want to tell you, and
I'm pretty sure you' must have an idea of it." I
tried to be calm even though I was not.
"Oga I'm not a ghost na" she was always
bringing everything to a joke
"Babe I love you, don't you see it? Please be my
girlfriend."
"Hmmmmm Ephraim, you're not sure of what
you're saying." she was still packing her bags.
I held her waist from behind and whispered into
her ears
"Please say yes.
"Ephraim rest abeg. I don't want to stress you"
she was serious now.
"Stress me? How?
"I'll tell you later.
"No! You must tell me now!" I insisted.
There was silence for about ten minutes or so,
all i could hear was our breathe. It was
becoming thicker now.
"Ephraim sit down." she said calmly.
I sat down on my mattress and so she did sat.
"I'm a very good girl, I don't know what I
committed that nature chose to treat me this
way." she was staring at an empty space.
"What do you mean by that? I drew close to her
and held her hands.. I could see some tear balls
hanging by the sides of her eyes.
"I'm a student, I'm supposed to be in final year
by next year, it's just unfortunate that I won't
graduate. When I was sixteen, I was diagnosed
of cancer of the breasts, if you are a keen
observer, you must have seen that I don't have
hairs on my head (ofcourse I did, right from the
first day I did noticed it.)
She continued,
"As if that wasn't enough, I'm also asthmatic,
and just last year, I was terribly sick and I was
rushed to the hospital, the doctors discovered
that I have a hole in my heart, Effie, I have
roughly six months to live." she concluded with a
smile.
Jesus!! No! This is not happening. Why? Why?
Why is life so unfair? What has this innocent girl
committed?
I suddenly bursted out into an uncontrollable
tears. I sobbed and I didn't realize I was
shouting. And all these while, Rebecca was still
staring into space and smiling.
I was now sitting on the floor at the door with
my hands on my head, weeping but not as
before.
She came over and began tapping and caressing
my shoulder
"It's okay na, I'm the one ill here and you're
serious like this" she was laughing.
"I've never given this to any body before, but
you're a special person to me, oya turn and take
this"
I turned and our lips joined together , it was a
glorious moment of heaven falling down, for the
first time I saw Rebecca weeping, I joined her,
we were crying and kissing at the same time.
What a world full of short joy.
It was 4pm, I escorted her to the junction to pick
a cab back to home.
When I got back to room, I felt my head
becoming twice bigger that normal . I locked my
door and cried so bitterly.
Immediately after that incident, Rebecca's line
stopped going through. I called several times but
to no avail. I decided to pay a visit the next day.
I got to their gate, knocked but there was no
response. I went inside but still didn't see
anyone.
Luckilyfor me, I met their neighbor on my way
out
"Excuse me please, I came to see Rebecca, but
she's not home and nobody is inside too, have
you got any idea where I can see them?"
"Oga who you be? Rebeka dey hospitu o.
"Please do you know the hospital?" my chest
was beginning to beat faster.
"Na Our Lady of fatima hospitu o, e dey for...
Before she could finish, I was already seated on
a bike heading to the hospital.
An hour later, I reached. I rushed inside and
because the hospital wasn't a big one, in no
distant time, I found my way to the room where
she was kept.
Rebecca was in coma. Beautiful as usual, just
that she looked thinner and frail now.
Her hairs were not only scanty now but had also
changed colours to brown..
I fell on my knees and cried so loud. Her parents
and extended families were amused and were
trying to know me. I didn't bother to respond..i
walked to her head side and sat there.
"Becky please look at me" I said with a shaky
voice.
The whole room became silent.
And then, as if it was a miracle..
"Take care of yourself Effie" she coughed a dry
cough and tried speaking again with a faint voice
"Dad, check inside my socks and give Ephraim
the piece of paper there..
Her dad removed the tiny piece of paper and
passed it to me, he was still confused.
the content in the paper read thus;
*"TO THE ONLY GUY I'VE SLEPT IN THE SAME
BED WITH, TO THE ONLY GUY THAT HAD EVER
KISSED ME, TO THE GUY I WALKED THE BEST
PART OF MY LIFE WITH. I LOVE YOU EPHRAIM.
I PRAY WE MEET ON THE RESURRECTION
MORNING."*
I could feel my knees going weak, I felt my body
joints going soft, my head felt light and I was
losing sanity.
"Doctors please come! She's convulsing" her
mom screamed out.
The doctors ran inside and started using those
stethoscope and instruments,
After several minutes of working and battling, the
senior doctor turned with a sad look on his
worried face and said in a plain English, "I'm
sorry, we did out best. But we lost ...her"
"We understand!" her dad replied with a sniff.
This should better be a dream!!!
Nooooooooooo!!!!!!!!! Blackout!
I woke up in a hospital with my mom and dad by
my side.
"Thank God he's awake" mom prayed.
"Ephraim what happened?" you were seen lying
on the floor on the highway. The doctors have
run all tests and no sign of drugs was
discovered in you. What happened exactly? " dad
spoke calmly
"Rebecca!" was all I could mutter before I
bursted out with a wailing that shook the whole
hospital.
May her soul rest in peace Amen
Rebecca Anderson.
1994-2015

So sad

Well done OP

this got me crying. I hope its just story? Really got me

Chai, no be small tin oo. Weak tinz


Weldon OP

jaydave226:
this got me crying. I hope its just story? Really got me

Yeah it's just a fictional write up.

skubido:
Chai, no be small tin oo. Weak tinz

Weldon OP

Thank you bro

Ann2012:
So sad
Well done OP

Thank you finey

Quite interesting and emotional. An important detail you left out was, how you got to know where her house was.Once again,kudos.